a department of E central France, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Capital: St Étienne. Pop: 726 613 (2003 est). Area: 4799 sq km (1872 sq miles)
2.
a river in France, rising in the Massif Central and flowing north and west in a wide curve to the Bay of Biscay: the longest river in France. Its valley is famous for its wines and châteaux. Length: 1020 km (634 miles)
Ancient name: Liger
Loire in American English
(ləˈwɑr; French lwaʀ)
river flowing from S France north & west into the Bay of Biscay: 625 mi (1,006 km)